Sovana
A small village in the Maremma hinterland, in the Tufo area, Sovana is a real gem for art, history and archeology enthusiasts.
Set between Pitigliano and Sorano and custodian of the Archaeological Park of the Tufo Area, it is a mandatory stop if you really want to know the history of the Etruscans and Romans in the Maremma area.
Sovana is also one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, the beauty of its inhabited center, cozy and intimate, is truly unique!
The history of Sovana begins very early, in fact it was born with the name of Suana in Etruscan times and soon became an important Roman center, elevated to a municipality. In the 5th century Sovana was already indicated as a bishopric. Starting from the Middle Ages the urban settlement began to be defined as we know it today, under the government of the Aldobrandeschi the fortress was built, dating back to the 11th century, it is also in this period that one of the most famous historical figures was born in Sovana, Ildebrando di Suana, known in the chronicle as Pope Gregory VII. The Orsinis conquered Sovana in 1200, later the city was governed by Siena and finally by the Medici, who brought it under the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.
What to see in Sovana:
- CATHEDRAL OF SAN PIETRO, a splendid sacred building dating back to the 10th century, the cathedral was commissioned by Pope Gregory VII and rests its foundations on a pre-existing building dating back to the 6th century. The interior of the church houses some interesting pictorial works, a Madonna in Glory with San Benedetto and San Giovanni, dating back to 1500, a Crucifixion of San Pietro, from 1671 and Santa Maria Egiziaca, from 1481
- CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE, in the characteristic Piazza del Pretorio, the building dates back to the 12th century, inside there is a beautiful stone ciborium, a rare example of Tuscan pre-Romanesque art, particularly interesting are the frescoes depicting the Crucifixion between Saints Anthony and Lawrence and Saint Sebastian and San Rocco, from 1527 and the Madonna and Child Enthroned between Saints Barbara and Lucia, San Sebastiano and San Mamiliano, from 1508
- PALAZZO PRETORIO, flanked by the Loggia del Capitano, are located in Piazza del Pretorio. The palace was built in the 12th century and served as the residence of the judge, and then as the city archive
- BISHOP’S PALACE, leaning against the cathedral, dates back to the 7th century
- CINTA MURARIA, built in different historical eras, originally dates back to the Etruscan period and were erected in the 7th century BC, they were then remodeled between the 11th and 12th centuries and in the Renaissance
- ROCCA ALDOBRANDESCA, the fortification was built on the ruins of a pre-existing building from the Etruscan era, dates back to the 11th century and served as the residence of the Aldobrandeschi family
- ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK, just outside the town, along the road that leads from Sovana to San Martino sul Fiora, the archaeological area of Sovana preserves precious Etruscan remains, the vie cave and the necropolis, with the important tombs of the Siren, the Typhoon and Hildebrand